fa la la la la-ing & deck the halls-ing ~ part two

Yesterday, we toured the living room of our little home decked out for the holidays (see here). I love adding some seasonal flair to our space, but Christmas is, by far, my favourite time to decorate. We turn on some festive music, pull various items filled with memories from our Christmas totes, and try to find just the right spot for each, though sometimes something will get packed back inside for another year.

When we were moving, I tried to minimize some of my seasonal stuff, giving some to my grown up ‘kids’ or donating others. We had a very large house before (see here), so I had accumulated a lot of stuff! Even with the down-sizing, many items don’t make the annual ‘cut’.

I like to keep things relatively simple. I’d love some more fresh greenery, but haven’t made it out yet to gather some. Now, lets head into the kitchen.

My kids bought this burlap stocking and filled it for me years ago. It was handmade by their friend who worked for a coffee roaster and upcycled coffee bean sacks. It hangs on an old wooden shutter.

This old window got the Christmas treatment with a paper garland that I made, red pompom trim and a wooden star. You can find the how-to for the paper garland in this post.

Since I no longer have a fireplace with a mantel, this shelf gives me a place to exercise my desire for seasonal vignettes. My Love was so excited to have found the nostalgic ceramic tree at a candle shop a long time ago. My grandmother had a larger one with colourful plastic peg ‘lights’. He always asks if I’m going to put it out. For a touch of natural (at least until I collect more greenery), I made a mini wreath with rosemary from my garden. There’s an ‘O come let us adore Him’ sign (it was made as a sample for our ladies’ craft night) that sits atop my cupboards, as does a vase filled with vintage glass Christmas light bulbs.

I’m working on a sign for the space above the table, as well. Look for it soon.

I mentioned before that my df girl could not wait to decorate, particularly her room. She chose a few select pieces to add to her compact room.

My girl loves her room. She spends lots of time in there, since we homeschool and that’s where she works. I often find her snuggled in with the multitudinous pillows and a fuzzy blanket.

She has mini lights on her bed year round, but some garland was added for Christmas.

We got this sweet little cart at Ikea. It replaces a heavy looking nightstand that used to be there. What a difference. The room seems so much more open. It’s decked out with her mini tree (our kids all had mini trees for their rooms), some candles and a little Brownie Holiday Edition camera.

The full-length mirror is adorned with some sweet pompom garland.

I love this sweet porcelain nativity set lined atop her desk. Down below, is a Christmas-y ‘Starry Night’ inspired painting she’s working on. She’s actually been selling some of her work, though I think she plans to keep this one.

The master bedroom and the bathroom are feeling a little neglected. Perhaps this week will find them more festive.

The decorating, wrapping and baking is so much more fun when you listen to some music of the season. We’ve been loving many contemporary Christmas songs, but we still love the old classic carols, too (read more here). SideWalk Prophets’ “Oh What a Glorious Night” (“Hope Was Born This Night” too) remains a favourite. Sometimes a classic Bing Crosby or Dean Martin is in order. Other times instrumental fits the bill. I am always chilled when I hear Lindsey Stirling play. Wow. What beauty.

Janet

Just an ordinary wife and momma serving an extraordinary God.
Savouring the joy that comes from Him.
Sharing our journey of life: faith and family, ministry and church planting, homeschooling, food, creating, and making our home wherever we are.
Please forgive my non-professional pictures...most are taken with my iPhone and editing tools can only improve it so much ;)